Bone and Blood Marrow Transplant

A blood or bone marrow transplant (BMT) may be used to treat some types of cancers and certain other diseases. The transplant process involves administering high doses of chemotherapy and/or radiation, which kills diseased cells as well as normal growing cells that live in the bone marrow. The normal growing cells are known as stem cells. Stem cells have the unique ability to become red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets; these cells are found in the blood stream. On the day of the patient’s transplant, healthy stem cells are given to the patient.

When a patient needs a transplant, stem cells are collected from either the patient or a donor. Stem cells can be collected from bone in the operating room, from the blood stream through a process called apheresis, or from some umbilical cords. These stem cells will begin to grow in the patient’s marrow over the next few weeks, producing red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. This type of transplant may be used to treat some types of leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, amyloidosis, POEMS syndrome, myelodysplastic syndrome, myeloproliferative disorders, aplastic anemia, sickle cell anemia, and other conditions.

 

Why UAB

What today is called the UAB Blood and Marrow Transplantation & Cell Therapy Program opened in 1991, and over 1,700 transplants have been performed since that time. We are committed to innovation and serving with compassion, and we provide the most advanced treatments in a clean, comfortable facility. Each patient is treated by a team of health care professionals dedicated to excellence throughout the transplant process, and we are continually fostering a care environment in which every patient is valued and respected. Our goals are to help ensure the best possible medical results, the greatest quality of life, and hope for a healthier future. We celebrate life every day. UAB Medicine’s Supportive Care and Survivorship Clinic helps patients manage the symptoms and side effects often associated with serious illnesses such as cancer.

Our program features 17 inpatient beds and an adjacent 24/7 outpatient clinic. We provide both autologous and allogeneic stem cell transplants, including haploidentical and umbilical cord transplants when necessary. Our program is a national leader in high-risk transplants for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). It is staffed by experienced and compassionate physicians, pharmacists, nurses, nurse practitioners, clinical care coordinators, transplant coordinators, patient care technicians, research/data staff, social workers, nutritionists, and support personnel, all of whom are dedicated to delivering the highest quality of patient care throughout the transplant process.

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PHYSICIANS

Racquel D. Innis-Shelton, MD
Racquel D. Innis-Shelton, MD
Donna E. Salzman, MD
Donna E. Salzman, MD
Antonio Di Stasi, MD
Antonio Di Stasi, MD
Luciano J. Costa, MD
Luciano J. Costa, MD
Ravi Bhatia, MD
Ravi Bhatia, MD

Related Conditions

This procedure may be used to treat or diagnose several different conditions. We have listed some of these conditions below for your convenience. Please note that this is not a comprehensive list and may vary depending on your specific diagnosis.

CLINICAL TRIALS

UAB is an active participant in research and clinical trials for Bone Marrow Transplantation. We encourage you to speak to your physician about research and clinical trial options and browse the link below for more information.

View Clinical Trials